Today's Opinions

We are GRAVELY concerned about efforts under way at the state legislature to snuff out collective bargaining among Tennessee teachers.
Some would call this a pay issue, and, of course, it is to some extent.
But it is much, much more than that — and the outcome can have disturbing repercussions in every community in our state.
Anyone who remembers the days before collective bargaining knows that teacher hiring was largely politicized and nepotism ran rampant in school systems.

By CHARLES C. HAYNES
In the perennial post-game buzz about Super Bowl ads, the buff body of the new GoDaddy girl (aka Joan Rivers) was a big hit this year. So was the pugnacious pug dog flattening his owner to grab the Doritos. And, of course, who can forget the woman who got smacked in the head with a soft-drink can?

All right class, we are going to start the lessons with a pop quiz.
What president of the U.S. during an eight year tenure in that office got the Congress to raise taxes a total of 11 times, thus averaging more than one tax increase each year?
The answer appears at the end of this column. (If you listened to NPR’s “Morning Edition”, last Friday, [WUOT, 5 a. m. to 7 a.m., repeated 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., each weekday,] you will immediately have the answer.)
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Roane County Ambulance Service is comprised of dedicated and professional staff and provides this community with a service that cannot be measured by monetary value.
I attended a recent Roane County Commission’s committee meeting concerning the ambulance service.
I found all the commissioners and county executive to be very attentive and concerned about the service.
The executive presented a copy of the ambulance service’s annual budget and gave a report on the current expenditures.

We are well aware of the concerns being voiced by some of the East Roane County residents who live near the Tiger Haven big-cat sanctuary.
We are sympathetic to those who have expressed their fears.
However, this ongoing battle is one that appears to have no end in sight — at least not one that will satisfy those who have complained.
Tiger Haven has gone through inspection after inspection by multiple state and county officials and agencies. It is operating within the law, all have deemed.
Could the laws be changed?

A tough guy … that’s what most of us weekend warriors like to think of ourselves.
Fact of the matter is, we’re all pretty much far from it, as the Boss reminds me quite often.
Just a few days ago, the most wonderful woman on God’s green earth shook “my world.”
“Quit whining!” she ordered.
Weenie that I am, I immediately complied.
Still, I secretly pined inside.
When I awoke and showered before church, I could tell something wasn’t just right.

I do not understand why some of the commissioners are rehashing all of these things that have already been approved and built.
I understand that there is a new government in Kingston and the county, but it seems that a lot of these commissioners sure do like to see their names in the local paper.
It has been nearly two years since they built the ambulance station South of the River.
I’m sure it went through the proper channels to get approved and funded, or it would not be there.
Why are you worrying about something you can’t change?